Thousands of Pakistanis protested against US – Israel Jerusalem move

Thousands of Pakistanis have rallied in major cities across Pakistan, condemning U.S. President Donald Trump for declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

ISLAMABAD – Thousands of Protesters rallied in major cities of the country on Friday against US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as authorities tightened security outside US missions.

Rallying in small groups, they joined a global chorus of condemnation of President Donald Trump’s decision. Hundreds took to the streets in Islamabad in different rallies. Chanting “Death to Trump” and “Trump is mad”, the protesters censured the Trump administration and warned that the move could lead to more disturbances in the Middle East.

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Islamabad and the local traders held separate rallies after Friday prayers in Aabpara Market. More than a hundred lawyers gathered in front of the Parliament House. Another rally by the Muslim Students Federation was organised at the National Press Club.

In the cities of Lahore and Peshawar, protesters chanted “Down with America, down with Israel and no to Israel occupation”.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa cleric Hafiz Saeed promised bigger protests over Jerusalem and urged the government to convene a conference of Muslim states. “Pakistan should take the lead, being the only nuclear state of the Islamic world,” Saeed said.

Hitting the road in Quetta, various religious parties including the JI, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslim (MWM), condemned the US decision of recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel and shifting there its embassy from Tel Aviv.

“Today not only in Quetta but around the world Muslims are protesting against this anti-Muslim move,” Zahid Akhtar, the JI District Ameer told the protesters. “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine, and Israel has occupied the city for many decades… we will never let it happen.”

Chairman (PTI) Imran Khan also condemned the US-Israel Jerusalem move and urged UN to take strong action because it will further add to the chaos in the ME.

Trump's plan to shift US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is contrary to all UN resolutions & is an attempt to deliberately add to the chaos in the ME. This new Trump move will also undermine the international consensus on how to move forward in resolving the Palestinian conflict.

In Peshawar, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali condemned Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying the decision would further bolster extremists around the world.

“Extremism is on the rise in the world, on the other hand Trump is announcing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital that will jeopardise the world peace,” said Asfandyar Wali while addressing a public gathering in Charsadda on Friday.

“Trump has put the world peace in danger,” Asfandyar Wali said. “God knows what had happened to the Americans who elected such a stupid person as their president?”